The Time Warrior (TV story): Difference between revisions

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{{Infobox ClassicTV|
{{title dab away}}
story name=The Time Warrior|
{{real world}}
image= [[Image: Timewarrior_title.jpg |250px]]|
{{ImageLinkTV}}
series=[[Doctor Who]] -<br/>[[TV stories|TV Stories]]|
{{Infobox Story SMW
number= [[Season 11]]|
|image               = Timewarrior title.jpg  
story number= 70|
|season number        = Season 11 (Doctor Who 1963)|
doctor=[[Third Doctor]] |
|season serial number = 1
companions= [[Sarah Jane Smith]] (introduction)<br/>[[Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart]]|
|story number         = 70
enemy= <ul><li>[[Linx]]</li><li>[[Irongron]]</li></ul>|
|doctor               = Third Doctor  
year= [[England]], [[1970s]]<br> [[England]], [[13th century]]|
|companions           = [[Sarah Jane Smith|Sarah]]
writer= [[Robert Holmes]]|
|featuring            = [[Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart|The Brigadier]]
director= [[Alan Bromly]]|
|enemy               = [[Jingo Linx]], [[Irongron]]
producer= [[Barry Letts]]|
|setting              = [[England]], [[13th century]]{{note|In part two of the television story ''[[The Sontaran Experiment (TV story)|The Sontaran Experiment]]'', [[Sarah Jane Smith]] tells Field Major [[Styre]] that [[Linx]] was destroyed in the 13th century.}}
broadcast date= [[15th December]] [[1973]] - [[5th January]] [[1974]]|
|writer               = Robert Holmes
format= 4 25-minute episodes|
|director             = [[Alan Bromly]]
production code= [[List of production codes|UUU]]|
|producer             = [[Barry Letts]]
previous story= [[The Green Death]]|
|novelisation        = Doctor Who and the Time Warrior (novelisation)
next story= [[Invasion of the Dinosaurs]] }}
|epcount              = 4
|broadcast date       = 15 December 1973 - 5 January 1974
|network              = BBC1
|format               = 4x25-minute episodes
|serial production code= [[List of production codes|UUU]]
|series              = [[Doctor Who television stories|''Doctor Who'' television stories]]
|prev                = The Green Death (TV story)
|next                = Invasion of the Dinosaurs (TV story)
|clip                = First appearance of the Sontarans - The Time Warrior - BBC
|clip2                = The Robot knight-mare - The Time Warrior - BBC
|clip3                = The Doctor fights with a Sontaran - The Time Warrior - BBC
|thwr                = 77
|thwr2                = 181
}}{{you may|The Time Warrior (reference book)|n1=the reference book of the same name}}
'''''The Time Warrior''''' was the first serial of [[season 11 (Doctor Who 1963)|season eleven]] of ''[[Doctor Who (TV series)|Doctor Who]]''. The story finally revealed the name of [[the Doctor]]'s home [[planet]] as [[Gallifrey]]. It also featured the first appearance of the [[Sontaran]]s, as well as companion [[Sarah Jane Smith]].


{{Quote|The Stars are falling!|[[Bloodaxe]]}}
[[Script editor]] [[Terrance Dicks]] gave [[Robert Holmes]] the task of writing a story set in a medieval castle. Holmes was less than enthusiastic about this direction, feeling that historical serials were boring, twee, whimsical and relics of the show's original educational mission. Nonetheless, he agreed to Dicks' suggestion of an adventure set in medieval times, provided that it would feature no historical personages and would include a strong science-fictional element. Holmes reversed the roles in giving Dicks the setting of a [[lighthouse]] for ''[[Horror of Fang Rock (TV story)|Horror of Fang Rock]]'' in 1977.<ref>''[[Beginning the End (documentary)|Beginning the End]]''</ref>


'''''The Time Warrior''''' was the first story of [[Season 11]] of ''Doctor Who''. New monsters the [[Sontaran]]s made their debut in this story, along with [[Elisabeth Sladen]] as companion [[Sarah Jane Smith]].
The story introduces a new opening sequence that includes a slit-scan "time tunnel" effect. It also introduces a new, diamond-shaped logo. These remained in use until 1980. This is the first story in the series history to refer to each segment as a 'Part' rather than 'Episode'. This remained until the end of the classic series with the exception of ''[[Destiny of the Daleks (TV story)|Destiny of the Daleks]]''.


==Synopsis==
== Synopsis ==
Journalist Sarah Jane Smith is impersonating her aunt, virologist Lavinia Smith, in order to gain access to a research centre where top scientists are being held in protective custody while UNIT investigates the disappearance of a number of their colleagues. The missing scientists have been kidnapped by a Sontaran, Linx, and taken back to medieval England, where they are working under hypnosis to repair his crashed spaceship.
When scientists start to go missing in the [[20th century]], [[the Doctor]] is called in by [[Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart|the Brigadier]] to investigate. His investigations lead him to [[deduce]] that they are being kidnapped through time, and he sets off in pursuit, unknowingly kidnapping journalist [[Sarah Jane Smith]] in the process.


==Plot==
Arriving in the middle ages, the Doctor and Sarah find themselves caught up in the machinations of the robber baron [[Irongron]] and his "star warrior". The alien, a [[Sontaran]] named [[Jingo Linx|Linx]], is arming him with modern weapons in return for helping him repair his damaged ship, and it's up to the Doctor and Sarah to stop him from ruining the Earth's timeline.
===Part 1===
[[Image:Timewarrior_ep1.JPG|150px|thumb|right|The star warrior arrives]]
In the [[13th century|Middle Ages]], the bandit [[Irongron]] and his aide [[Bloodaxe]] together with their rabble of criminals find the crashed spaceship of a [[Sontaran|Sontaran warrior]] named [[Linx]]. The alien claims [[Earth]] for his Empire then sets about repairing his ship, offering Irongron "magic weapons" that will make him a king in return for shelter. They strike a bargain, though Irongron remains suspicious.


[[Third Doctor|The Doctor]] and [[Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart]] are investigating the disappearance of several scientists from a top secret scientific research complex. They do not know Linx has used an [[Osmic Projector]] to send himself forward eight hundred years and has kidnapped the scientists then hypnotized them into making repairs on his ship. The Projector only lets him appear in another time for a brief period. While the Doctor investigates he meets an eccentric scientist called [[Professor Rubeish|Rubeish]] and a young journalist called [[Sarah Jane Smith]], who has infiltrated the complex by masquerading as her aunt. Later that evening Rubeish disappears and the Doctor uses the data he has gathered to pilot the [[the Doctor's TARDIS|TARDIS]] back to the Middle Ages.- not realising new companion Sarah has stowed away on board.
== Plot ==
=== Part one ===
In the [[Middle Ages]], the bandit [[Irongron]] and his aide [[Bloodaxe]], together with their rabble of criminals, spot a "falling star" crashing to Earth. They find the crashed object, a spaceship of a [[Sontaran|Sontaran warrior]] named [[Linx]]. The alien claims [[Earth]] for his empire then sets about repairing his ship, offering Irongron "magic weapons" that will make him a king in return for shelter. They strike a bargain, though Irongron remains suspicious of the alien.


Irongron is a robber baron who has stolen his castle from an absent nobleman, and relations with his neighbours are appalling. Indeed, the mild [[Edward of Wessex|Lord Edward of Wessex]] has been provoked into building an alliance against him and, when this is slow in developing, sends his archer [[Hal]] on an unsuccessful mission to kill Irongron. When Sarah follows the Doctor to Irongron's castle, she is seized by one of his guards, while the Doctor witnesses Linx removing his helmet.
The [[Third Doctor]] and [[Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart|Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart]] are investigating the disappearance of several scientists from a top secret scientific research complex. They do not know Linx has used an [[osmic projector]] to send himself forward seven hundred years and has kidnapped the scientists, then [[hypnosis|hypnotised]] them into making repairs on his ship. The projector only lets him appear in another time for a brief period but long enough to kidnap the scientists and steal equipment. While the Doctor investigates, he meets an eccentric scientist called [[Professor Rubeish|Rubeish]] and a young journalist called [[Sarah Jane Smith]], who has infiltrated the complex by masquerading as her aunt, the [[virologist]] [[Lavinia Smith]]. Later that evening Rubeish disappears, and the Doctor uses the data he has gathered to pilot [[the Doctor's TARDIS|the TARDIS]] back to the Middle Ages, not realising new companion Sarah has stowed away on board.


===Part 2===
Irongron is a robber baron who has stolen his castle from an absent nobleman, and relations with his neighbours are appalling. Indeed, the mild [[Edward of Wessex|Lord Edward of Wessex]] has been provoked into building an alliance against him and, when this is slow in developing, Lady [[Eleanor (The Time Warrior)|Eleanor]] sends the [[archer]] [[Hal (The Time Warrior)|Hal]] on an unsuccessful mission to kill Irongron. When Sarah follows the Doctor to Irongron's castle, she is seized by one of his guards, while the Doctor witnesses Linx removing his helmet.
[[Image:Timewarrior_ep2.JPG|150px|thumb|left|[[Irongron]] tests [[Linx]]'s weapon]]
Irongron is in a foul mood when a captured Sarah is brought before him. His mood improves when Linx presents him with a robot knight which is then put to the test on a captured Hal. The archer is only saved when the Doctor intervenes from afar, shooting the robot control box from Irongron's hands. The ensuing confusion lets both Hal and Sarah flee, and they head for [[Wessex Castle]]. There, Sarah concocts a plan to kidnap the Doctor, who she thinks is working for Irongron rather than against him.


Meanwhile the Doctor has realised both that Sarah is in the time period and has been captured. He finds Linx's lab, where the kidnapped scientists have been hypnotised except for Rubeish. He is caught by Linx, who restrains him using a head device, but Rubeish frees him when Linx leaves. The Doctor then leaves to search for Sarah, but is chased by Irongron and his men. When the Doctor stumbles, Irongron raises his axe...
=== Part two ===
Irongron is in a foul mood when a captured Sarah is brought before him. His mood improves when Linx presents him with a [[Robot Knight]] which is then put to the test on a captured Hal. The archer is only saved when the Doctor intervenes from afar by using a crossbow to shoot the robot control box from Irongron's hands. The ensuing confusion lets both Hal and Sarah flee, and they head for [[Wessex Castle]]. There, Sarah concocts a plan to kidnap the Doctor, who she thinks is working for Irongron rather than against him.


===Part 3===
Meanwhile the Doctor has realised that Sarah is in the time period and has been captured. He finds Linx's lab, where the kidnapped scientists have been hypnotised except for Rubeish. He is caught by Linx, who restrains him using a head device, but Rubeish frees him when Linx leaves. The Doctor then leaves to search for Sarah, but is chased by Irongron and his men. When the Doctor stumbles, Irongron raises his axe.
[[Image:Timewarrior_ep3.JPG|150px|thumb|right|[[Irongron]]'s army attacks [[Edward of Wessex|Edward]]'s castle]]
Hal shoots the axe out of Irongron's hand, allowing him to escape. The Doctor is able to convince Sarah and Edward that he was trying to stop Linx, and agrees to help construct a defence against an attack on Wessex Castle by Irongron's men.


The next morning, the robber baron and his troops assault the castle using rifles supplied by Linx, scarcely fooled by dummies the Doctor has made to make it appear as though the castle has more soldiers than they do. As they march on forward, the Doctor unleashes smoke bombs, which scares them away. The failure further sours the relationship between Linx and Irongron, which has deteriorated since the robot knight fiasco and the point at which the robber saw the Sontaran's true visage beneath his helmet.
=== Part three ===
{{video|Sarah Jane Smith quizzes the Doctor - The Time Warrior - BBC|thumb|left|Sarah quizzes the Doctor.}}
Hal shoots the axe out of Irongron's hand, allowing the Doctor to escape. The Doctor is able to convince Sarah and Edward that he was trying to stop Linx and agrees to help construct a defence against an attack on Wessex Castle by Irongron's men.


The Doctor now decides to lead an attack on Irongron's castle, and he and Sarah enter dressed as friars. He offers to help Linx if he sends the scientists back home, but Linx refuses and zaps the Doctor.
The next morning, the robber baron and his troops assault the castle using rifles supplied by Linx, scarcely fooled by dummies the Doctor has made to make it appear as though the castle has more soldiers than they do. As they march forward, the Doctor unleashes [[smoke bomb]]s and stink bombs, which scare them away. The failure further sours the relationship between Linx and Irongron, which has deteriorated since the robot knight fiasco and the point at which the robber saw the Sontaran's true visage beneath his helmet.


===Part 4===
The Doctor now decides to lead an attack on Irongron's castle, and he and Sarah enter dressed as friars. He offers to help Linx if he sends the scientists back home, but Linx refuses and shoots the Doctor...
[[Image:Timewarrior_ep4.JPG|150px|thumb|left|The new TARDIS team]]
The Doctor isn't harmed, and Linx is rendered immobile when a lucky strike from Rubeish hits his [[probic vent]] – a Sontaran refuelling point on the back of their necks which is also their main weakness. Rubeish and the Doctor use the Osmic Projector to send the scientists back to the twentieth century. Sarah now inveigles herself into Irongron's kitchen, using the opportunity to drug the food, thereby knocking out Irongron's men.


A recovered Linx now determines his ship is repaired enough to effect a departure. Once more he encounters the Doctor, and they wrestle in combat. A crazed and half drugged Irongron arrives and accuses Linx of betraying him: the Sontaran responds by killing him. As Linx enters his spherical vessel Hal arrives and shoots him in the probic vent, and the Sontaran warrior falls dead over his controls, triggering the launch mechanism. Knowing the place is about to explode when the shuttle takes off, the Doctor hurries the last of his allies out of the castle. It explodes moments before the Doctor and Sarah depart in the TARDIS.
=== Part four ===
[[File:Timewarrior_ep4.JPG|thumb|right|The new TARDIS team.]]
The Doctor isn't harmed, and Linx is rendered immobile when Rubeish, acting on a hint from the Doctor, hits his [[probic vent]] (a Sontaran refuelling point on the back of their necks which is also their main weakness). Rubeish and the Doctor use the [[osmic projector]] to send the scientists back to the twentieth century. Sarah now inveigles herself into Irongron's kitchen, using the opportunity to drug the food, thereby knocking out Irongron's men.


==Cast==
A recovered Linx now determines his ship is repaired enough to effect a departure. Once more he encounters the Doctor, and they wrestle in combat. A crazed and half drugged Irongron arrives and accuses Linx of betraying him; the Sontaran responds by killing him. As Linx enters his spherical vessel, Hal arrives and shoots him in the probic vent, and the Sontaran warrior falls dead over his controls, triggering the launch mechanism. Knowing the place is about to explode when the shuttle takes off, the Doctor hurries the last of his allies out of the castle. It explodes moments before the Doctor and Sarah depart in the TARDIS.
*[[Third Doctor|The Doctor]] - [[Jon Pertwee]]
*[[Sarah Jane Smith]] - [[Elisabeth Sladen]]
*[[Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart]] - [[Nicholas Courtney]]
*[[Linx]] - [[Kevin Lindsay]]
*[[Irongron]] - [[David Daker]]
*[[Bloodaxe]] - [[John J. Carney]]
*[[Edward of Wessex|Lord Edward of Wessex]] - [[Alan Rowe]]
*[[Hal]] - [[Jeremy Bulloch]]
*[[Professor Rubeish]] - [[Donald Pelmear]]
*[[Eleanor]] - [[June Brown]]
*[[Eric]] - [[Gordon Pitt]]
*[[Meg]] - [[Sheila Fay]]
*Sentry - [[Steve Brunswick]]


==Production Crew==
== Cast ==
*[[Writer]] - [[Robert Holmes]]
* [[Third Doctor|Doctor Who]] - [[Jon Pertwee]]
*[[Assistant Floor Manager]] - [[Rosemary Webb]]
* [[Sarah Jane Smith]] - [[Elisabeth Sladen]]
*[[Costumes]] - [[James Acheson]]
* [[Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart|Brigadier Lethbridge Stewart]] - [[Nicholas Courtney]]
*[[Designer]] - [[Keith Cheetham]]
* [[Jingo Linx|Linx]] - [[Kevin Lindsay]]
*[[Fight Arranger]] - [[Marc Boyle]], [[Terry Walsh]]
* [[Joseph Rubeish|Professor Rubeish]] - [[Donald Pelmear]]
*[[Film Cameraman]] - [[Max Samett]]
* [[Irongron]] - [[David Daker]]<ref name="miscred">Accidentally uncredited on-screen for part one on DVD release.</ref>
*[[Film Editor]] - [[William Symon]]
* [[Bloodaxe]] - [[John J. Carney]]<ref name="miscred" />
*[[Incidental Music]] - [[Dudley Simpson]]
* [[Eleanor (The Time Warrior)|Eleanor]] - [[June Brown]]
*[[Make-Up]] - [[Sandra Exelby]]
* [[Edward of Wessex]] - [[Alan Rowe]]
*[[Production Assistant]] - [[Marcia Wheeler]]
* [[Hal (The Time Warrior)|Hal]] - [[Jeremy Bulloch]]
*[[Script Editor]] - [[Terrance Dicks]]
* [[Meg (The Time Warrior)|Meg]] - [[Sheila Fay]]
*[[Special Sounds]] - [[Dick Mills]]
* [[Eric (The Time Warrior)|Eric]] - [[Gordon Pitt]]
*[[Studio Lighting]] - [[Mike Jefferies]]
* [[Sentry (The Time Warrior)|Sentry]] - [[Steve Brunswick]]
*[[Studio Sound]] - [[Tony Millier]]
*[[Theme Arrangement]] - [[Delia Derbyshire]]
*[[Title Music]] - [[Ron Grainer]]
*[[Visual Effects]] - [[Jim Ward]], [[Peter Pegrum]]
*[[Producer]] - [[Barry Letts]]
*[[Director]] - [[Alan Bromly]]


==References==
== Crew ==
* The Doctor (for the first time) mentions his home planet by name: [[Gallifrey]].
* [[Writer]] - [[Robert Holmes]]
* The [[Sontaran]]s feed on raw energy via an [[energy exchanger]].
* [[Doctor Who theme|Title Music]] - [[Ron Grainer]] and [[BBC Radiophonic Workshop]]
:*They obtain this energy through their [[probic vent]] which is also their weak spot.
* [[Title sequence|Title Sequence]] - [[Bernard Lodge]]
* [[Incidental Music]] - [[Dudley Simpson]]
* [[Special sounds|Special Sound]] - [[Dick Mills]]
* [[Costume designer|Costume Designer]] - [[James Acheson]]
* [[Make-Up]] - [[Sandra Exelby]]
* [[Film Cameraman]] - [[Max Samett]]
* [[Film sound|Film Sound]] - [[John Gatland]]
* [[Film Editor]] - [[William Symon]]
* [[Studio Lighting]] - [[Mike Jefferies]]
* [[Studio Sound]] - [[Tony Millier]]
* [[Visual Effects Designer]] - [[Jim Ward]]
* [[Script Editor]] - [[Terrance Dicks]]
* [[Designer (crew)|Designer]] - [[Keith Cheetham]]
* [[Producer]] - [[Barry Letts]]
* [[Director (crew)|Director]] - [[Alan Bromly]]
* [[Fight arranger|Fight Arrangers]] - [[Marc Boyle]], [[Terry Walsh]]


==Story Notes==
=== Uncredited crew ===
*Working titles for this story included '''The Fugitive''', '''The Time Fugitive''' and '''The Time Survivor'''.
* [[Visual effects assistant|Visual Effects Assistant]] - [[Peter Pegrum]] ([[INFO]]: ''The Time Warrior'')
*The original outline for the serial was submitted to the production office in the form of a "Field report from Sontaran Field Marshal Hol Mes, to Terran Cedicks".
*This story features the debut of a new opening and closing title sequence designed by [[Bernard Lodge]] and realised using a process known as 'slit scan'. The opening title sequence features for the first time the distinctive diamond-shaped logo for the series.
*Beginning with this story, individual episodes are listed as Part One, Two, etc. This replaced the previous system of calling them Episode One, Two, etc. established in [[1966]] with ''[[The Savages]]''.
*Bob Hoskins was offered the role of Irongron.


===Ratings===
== Worldbuilding ==
*Part 1 - 8.7 million viewers
* Rubeish mentions [[namesake]]s.
*Part 2 - 7.0 million viewers
* Irongron has an [[Armourer (job)|armourer]].
*Part 3 - 6.6 million viewers
* The King of England is involved in "his interminable wars". ([[Robert Holmes]]'s pitch refers to [[John of England|King John]] as the monarch, making this John's lengthy war with France). <ref>''Robert Holmes: A Life In Words'' - "Interlude VIII: The Time Fugitive" (Richard Molesworth)</ref>
*Part 4 - 10.6 million viewers


===Myths===
=== Businesses ===
*There was another actress cast before Elisabeth Sladen. ''(There was another companion, played by a different actress, originally intended to appear in this story. Sarah was a completely fresh character, and Sladen the first choice to play her, after the production team had second thoughts.  This myth was believed by Sladen herself, according to an interview in [[DWMS Holiday 1992]].)''
* The Brigadier mentions [[the Ritz]].
*Potatoes were unknown in England until Sir Francis Drake brought them back from the Americas in the 16th Century but they are referenced to in this story. ''(This is a common mis-conception, no potatoes featured in this story, they are however referenced in the [[Doctor Who and the Time Warrior|novelisation]] of this story)''. (Perhaps Linx bought some with him?)


===Filming Locations===
=== The Doctor ===
*Location shooting of Wessex castle and Irongron's castle was done at [[Peckforton Castle]].
* The Doctor uses his [[Venusian aikido]] on Irongron and Bloodaxe.
*[[BBC Television Centre]] (TC1 and TC6), Shepherd's Bush, [[London]]
* The Doctor proves himself good at [[fencing]].
* The Doctor states that he would like to study art under [[Rembrandt van Rijn|Rembrandt]].


===Discontinuity, Plot Holes, Error===
=== Foods and beverages ===
*Irongron's gun goes off before he fires it ''Itchy trigger finger and Irongron probably dosen't know how to work the gun well''
* Irongron has only sour [[wine]] in his castle.
*Surely Irongron would notice that his Robot has a fleshy neck? ''Irongron knows nothing at all about robots; he may assume they all have necks like that''
*''Wessex'' after the Norman conquest is an anachronism.
* Why doesn't Linx just hypnotise Irongron and his men?
*Linx refers to himself as 'just a lowly commander' but in ([[DW]]: ''[[The Sontaran Stratagem]]'') Commander Skorr ranks directly below [[General Staal]]. ''Rank structure could have changed between this story and ([[DW]]: ''[[The Sontaran Stratagem]]'') ''the Sontaran Stratagem takes place hundreds of years later, the rank structure may have changed''
*Why, when his ship landed the previous night does Linx wait hours until morning, to emerge from his sphere to stake his flag? What has he been doing in the interim?
*Linx demonstrates a crude but highly effective degree of temporal engineering know-how in this story - i.e. being able to kidnap multiple scientist from the future, with only the equipment he crash landed with. Yet this know-how seems to be lacking from all other Sontarans encountered in the series, dispite this story apparently taking place hundreds and even thousands of years before the others were meant to take place. ''Linx is actually from the very distant future and his craft is an experimental model with limited time-travel capabilities, which is what leads to him being stranded in the distant passed and how he has access to more advanced time technology than the other members of his race who were to come. Alternately, it may be that as a direct result of his experience with Linx in this story that the Doctor petitioned the High Council of Time Lords to have certain changes made in the development of Sontaran science, so-as to prevent such a war-like race gaining this kind of formidable know-how.''


==Continuity==
=== Individuals ===
*Sarah mistakes [[Styre]] for [[Linx]] in [[DW]]: ''[[The Sontaran Experiment]]''.
* Lavinia Smith is in [[America]] at the moment.
*Sarah's [[Lavinia Smith|Aunt Lavinia]] appears in [[KAC]]: ''[[A Girl's Best Friend]]''.
*The Sontarans would reappear in [[DW]]: ''[[The Sontaran Experiment]]'', ''[[The Invasion of Time]]'', ''[[The Two Doctors]]'', ''[[The Sontaran Stratagem]]'' and ''[[The Poison Sky]]''.
*Sontarans have also appeared in the spin-off [[RP]]: ''[[Shakedown: Return of the Sontarans]]'' and the ''[[Mindgame Trilogy]].''
:*Also the spoof [[RP]]: ''[[Do You Have a License to Save this Planet?]]'' and a [[Jim'll Fix It]] special ''[[A Fix with Sontarans]]''.
*Linx is mentioned in [[MA]]: ''[[Lords of the Storm]]''.
*The Third Doctor's knowledge of the Sontarans and the Rutan/Sontaran war does not come from meeting Linx.  He has fairly intimate knowledge of the species already. 
:''Where, exactly, the Doctor encountered the Sontarans before is a matter of some speculation.  One possibility is his [[Second Doctor|second self]]'s encounter with them in [[DW]]: ''[[The Two Doctors]]''.  However, the Second Doctor isn't explicitly made aware of the Rutan/Sontaran war in that later story, so it's reasonable to assume that Third Doctor's knowledge of the Sontarans comes from another source.  Did he study them while on [[Gallifrey]]?  Was there an unseen First or Second Doctor adventure in which he was introduced to the Sontarans?  Unlike the [[Cybermen]], [[Dalek]]s, and many other races, it is considerably unclear when the Doctor first met the Sontarans. ''The Sontarans appear to be a very advanced race in the [[DW]] Universe - they know about the [[TimeLord]]s, were aware of and wanted to participate in the Time War, come close to achieving Time Travel, and even invade [[Gallifrey]]. It seems that they would be a species the Doctor would have likely heard of even if not encountered before.''
*Similarly, Linx has prior knowledge of both [[Gallifrey]] and the [[Time Lord]]s. In fact his opinion of the Time Lords — "a race of great technical achievement, but lacking the morale to withstand a determined assault" — makes the Third Doctor invite him to "put that theory to the test". This would seem to prefigure the eventual [[The Invasion of Time|Sontaran invasion of Gallifrey]].
*The Third Doctor is shown here to quite enjoy alcohol.  After initially turning down a fresh glass of wine, he reconsiders and goes for another round.  Other incarnations in similar situations have generally opted for non-alcoholic beverages — as, for example, the [[Seventh Doctor]] in ''[[Battlefield]]'' or the [[Tenth Doctor]] in ''[[The Unicorn and the Wasp]]''.  However, the [[Ninth Doctor]] took what was likely sherry or port with [[Harriet Jones]] and [[Rose Tyler]] in the Cabinet Room at [[10 Downing Street]] (''[[World War Three]]'').  He didn't seem to enjoy it nearly as much as the Third Doctor liked his wine in this episode, though. ''The Doctor's liking for alcohol has varied from time to time, perhaps with mood as well as incarnation.''
*In the first episode, the Doctor is shown to use his newly-constructed [[rhondium sensor]] as both practical scientific apparatus and a kind of alarm clock. The [[Tenth Doctor]] later used a redesigned rhondium sensor in ''[[Planet of the Dead (TV story)|Planet of the Dead]]'' to help him detect that episode's [[wormhole]].


==DVD, Video and Other Releases==
=== References to popular culture ===
* Sarah Jane first thinks Irongron's men are students doing a "{{w|rag (student society)|rag day}} joke", then that this is "one of those tourist places".
* The Doctor describes Linx as "nasty, brutish, and short", referencing a quote from Thomas Hobbes' ''{{w|Leviathan (Hobbes book)|Leviathan}}''.
* The Doctor uses the metaphor of dancing [[polka]] while de-hypnotising the scientists.


*'''DVD Releases'''
=== Sontarans ===
[[Image:Timewarrior_region2cover.jpg|right|76px]]
* The [[Sontaran]]s feed on raw energy via an [[energy exchanger]]. The Sontarans obtain this energy through their [[probic vent]].
* Linx is a commander of the [[Fifth Sontaran Army Space Fleet]] of the [[Sontaran Army Space Corps]].


Released as ''Doctor Who: The Time Warrior''. Released:
=== Science ===
Region 2 [[3rd September]] [[2007]] and Region 4 [[3rd October]] [[2007]]
* Rubeish writes in [[chalk]] on [[the Doctor's TARDIS]].
 
=== Technology ===
* The Doctor uses his newly constructed [[rhondium sensor]] as both practical scientific apparatus and a kind of alarm clock.
 
=== Weapons ===
* Linx builds breech-loading [[firearm]]s for Irongron.
* Irongron and his men use [[sword]]s, [[spear]]s, [[axe]]s and [[crossbow]]s.
* Hal uses a [[longbow]].
 
== Story notes ==
* Working titles for this story included ''The Fugitive'', ''The Time Fugitive'' and ''The Time Survivor''.
* This story features the debut of a new opening and closing title sequence designed by [[Bernard Lodge]] and realised using a process known as "slit scan". The opening title sequence features for the first time the distinctive diamond-shaped logo for the series.
* Beginning with this story, individual episodes are listed as parts. This replaced the previous system of calling them episodes, established in 1966 with ''[[The Savages (TV story)|The Savages]]''. The naming structure introduced in this serial was used through to ''[[Survival (TV story)|Survival]]'' in 1989, with the single exception of ''[[Destiny of the Daleks (TV story)|Destiny of the Daleks]]''.
* [[Elisabeth Sladen]] is credited as "Sarah Jane" in ''Radio Times'' for parts one to three.
* The ''[[Radio Times]]'' programme listing for part one was accompanied by a black-and-white illustration by Peter Brookes depicting Linx using his gun to shoot an axe from a hand, and the Brigadier, Sarah and the Doctor in front of Irongron's castle, with the accompanying caption "Into the past — to find the future. The redoubtable Dr. Who returns with a new assistant, journalist Sarah Jane Smith, and Lethbridge Stewart to fight ''The Time Warrior'' in not-so-merrie England: 5.10". ''(original published text)''
* [[Barry Letts]] wanted [[Bob Hoskins]] to play Irongron. He was unavailable, but he did recommend [[David Daker]].
* Gallifrey was originally referred to as "Galfrey" in the scripts.
* This episode is set shortly after Jo has left, as in ''[[Death of the Doctor (TV story)|Death of the Doctor]]'', Sarah Jane told Jo that she arrived "just after" her departure.
* The special edition release of this serial includes new effects through computer-generated imagery, including energy rays from Linx's handheld laser and a rendered CGI explosion that shows Irongron's castle being blown up as opposed to a [[practical effect]] where the explosion is seen from afar and rocks are dislodged, merely implying the destruction of the castle.
* The original script contained a full-scale battle scene of knights in armour attacking the castle. [[Terrance Dicks]] realised that this was way beyond the show's budget, so he changed it to the Doctor repelling invaders with smoke bombs.
* In the original script, it was the Doctor who killed Linx by shooting an arrow into his probic vent.
* According to the trivia subtitles on the DVD, the [[UNIT dating controversy]] could have been avoided — a cut line from the sequence where Linx interrogates Sarah Jane would have had her specify that she came from [[1974]].
* [[Robert Holmes]]'s only memory of the shoot was that [[Terrance Dicks]] ate kippers with vinegar on the train to the location filming.
* [[Robert Holmes]] had conceived of the Sontarans after reading ''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On_War On War]'', a ten-volume treatise on military strategy compiled in the early nineteenth century by the Prussian general [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_von_Clausewitz Carl von Clausewitz]. To offset his ennui with the actual business of writing a storyline, Holmes prepared his submission in the form of a military communique between the Sontarans "Hol Mes" and "Terran Cedicks".
* [[Barry Letts]] originally hoped to direct the serial himself, but he and [[Terrance Dicks]] were busy gearing up for production on ''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moonbase_3 Moonbase 3]''.
* Linx's appearance was a collaboration between costume designer [[James Acheson]] and make-up designer [[Sandra Exelby]], who worked from [[Robert Holmes]]' scripted description of a cross between a human and a toad. 
* [[Kevin Lindsay]] found the Linx costume very difficult to wear, as it interfered with his breathing. At one point, he collapsed under the weight of the mask and the helmet. It was revealed that he had a heart condition.
* There were talks about retaining Hal as a second companion and [[Barry Letts]] approached [[Jeremy Bulloch]] to enquire about his schedule, but nothing came of it.
* Hal originally had an introductory scene that featured the archer flirting with a serving girl named Mary, and explained that he had accompanied Sir Edward on one of the Crusades, helping him return home after falling sick in the Holy Land. The loss of this sequence resulted in all of Mary's dialogue being excised from the finished serial and, as a result, actress Jacqueline Stanbury would no longer be listed in the credits.
* The name Irongron came from the histories of [[Denmark]].
* [[Kevin Lindsay]] insisted on pronouncing "Sontaran" by stressing the second syllable ("son-TAR-an") rather than using [[Robert Holmes]]'s envisioned pronunciation, which stressed the first syllable ("SON-tar-an"). When [[Alan Bromly]] attempted to correct Lindsay's pronunciation, the latter shot back with "Well, I think it's 'son-TAR-an', and since I'm from the place, I should know." Bromly backed down, and the "son-TAR-an" pronunciation would become the canon one.
 
=== Ratings ===
* Part one - 8.7 million viewers
* Part two - 7.0 million viewers
* Part three - 6.6 million viewers
* Part four - 10.6 million viewers
 
=== Myths ===
* [[Potato]]es were unknown in England until Sir [[Walter Raleigh]] brought them back from the Americas in the [[16th century]], but they are referred to in this story. ''(This is a common misconception — no potatoes featured in this story, but they are referenced in the [[Doctor Who and the Time Warrior (novelisation)|novelisation]] of this story.)''
 
=== Filming locations ===
* Location shooting of Wessex Castle and Irongron's castle was done at [[Peckforton Castle]].
* [[BBC Television Centre]] (TC1 and TC6), Shepherd's Bush, [[London]]
 
=== Production errors ===
{{discontinuity}}
* Irongron's gun goes off before he fires it.
* When looking at the robot, the actor's eyes can be clearly seen through the eye holes.
* In part four, just before the Doctor, Sarah, and Hal enter Linx's workshop, a stagehand can be heard for a moment shouting a verbal cue off-screen.
* When the Doctor and Sarah leave in the TARDIS at the end of part four, one of the TARDIS's side windows can briefly be seen from the inside, revealing it to be a prop.
 
== Continuity ==
* During his [[Fourth Doctor|fourth incarnation]], the Doctor, Sarah and [[Harry Sullivan]] encountered another Sontaran, [[Styre|Field Major Styre]], on Earth in the [[far future]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Sontaran Experiment (TV story)|The Sontaran Experiment]]'')
* The Third Doctor knows about Sontarans because of his [[First Doctor|first incarnation]]'s encounter with them. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Sontarans (audio story)|The Sontarans]]'')
* When the [[Fifth Doctor]] and [[Nyssa]] encounter a [[Rutan]] in 13th century [[Stockbridge]], he theorises that Linx was tracking the Rutan when he crashed, since the Rutan didn't know that there was a Sontaran on Earth at that moment. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Castle of Fear (audio story)|Castle of Fear]]'')
* The Doctor would later mention the events of this episode when undergoing [[regeneration]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Robot (TV story)|Robot]]'', ''[[The Doctor Falls (TV story)|The Doctor Falls]]'')
* Decades later from her perspective, Sarah Jane will recall her past encounter when she confronts [[Kaagh]] in her [[2009|present day]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Last Sontaran (TV story)|The Last Sontaran]]'')
 
== Home video and audio releases ==
=== DVD releases ===
This story was released as ''Doctor Who: The Time Warrior''.
 
Released:
Region 2 [[3 September (releases)|3 September]] [[2007 (releases)|2007]], Region 4 [[3 October (releases)|3 October]] 2007 and Region [[1 April (releases)|1 April]] [[2008 (releases)|2008]].


Contents:
Contents:
**Commentary by [[Elisabeth Sladen]], [[Barry Letts]] and [[Terrance Dicks]]
* Commentary by [[Elisabeth Sladen]] ([[Sarah Jane Smith]]), [[Barry Letts]] (Producer) and [[Terrance Dicks]] (Script Editor)
**[[Beginning the End]] - The cast and crew of '''The Time Warrior''' look back on the making of this story, in this newly produced documentary. Featuring Elisabeth Sladen, [[Donald Pelmear]], [[Jeremy Bulloch]], Barry Letts, Terrance Dicks and [[Keith Cheatham]].
* ''[[Beginning the End (documentary)|Beginning the End]]'' - The cast and crew of ''The Time Warrior'' look back on the making of this story, in this newly produced documentary. Featuring Elisabeth Sladen, [[Donald Pelmear]] ([[Joseph Rubeish|Rubeish]]), [[Jeremy Bulloch]] ([[Hal (The Time Warrior)|Hal]]), Barry Letts, Terrance Dicks and [[Keith Cheetham]] (designer)
**CGI Effects - Choose to watch the story with some of the original effects replaced by 16 new CGI sequences.
* CGI Effects - Choose to watch the story with some of the original effects replaced by 16 new CGI sequences
**Continuity Compilation - A selection of off-air continuity announcements for the original BBC transmissions of '''The Time Warrior'''.
* Continuity Compilation - A selection of off-air continuity announcements for the original BBC transmission of ''The Time Warrior''.
**[[Doctor Who Annual]] [[1974]] (DVD-ROM PC/Mac)
* ''[[Doctor Who Annual 1974|The Doctor Who Annual 1974]]'' (DVD-ROM PC/Mac)
**Radio Times Billings - Original listings from Radio Times (DVD-ROM PC/Mac)
* ''[[Radio Times]]'' Billings - Original listings from ''Radio Times'' (DVD-ROM PC/Mac)
**Photo Gallery
* Photo Gallery
**Production Subtitles
* Production Subtitles
* Coming Soon Trailer - ''[[The Key to Time (box set)|The Key to Time]]''
* [[Easter Egg]]s:
** ''The Time Warrior'' Firsts: Short featurette detailing various "firsts" introduced by this serial, including the first appearance of Sarah Jane, the first appearance of a [[Sontaran]], the first use of the slit-scan [[title sequence]], and others. To access this hidden feature, press left at Special Features on the Main Menu to illuminate the ''Doctor Who'' logo.
** Terrance Dicks bonus interview talking about his relationship with Barry Letts. To access this hidden feature, press left at Back on the second page of the Special Features menu to reveal a hidden ''Doctor Who'' logo.
Notes:
* Editing for the DVD release was completed by the [[Doctor Who Restoration Team]]. Unfortunately, during re-mastering, on-screen credits for David Daker (Irongron) and John J. Carney (Bloodaxe) were omitted from the closing titles of part one by mistake.
* The DVD release was also the first time the serial was available complete and uncut.
Box set release:
This story was released in the ''[[Bred for War]]'' DVD box set on [[5 May (releases)|5 May]] [[2008 (releases)|2008]] along with the other classic series Sontaran stories. The DVD is the same as the one sold separately. It was later released in Australia on [[8 July (releases)|8 July]].
 
<gallery position="center" captionalign="center" hideaddbutton="true">
File:Timewarrior_region2cover.jpg|Region 2 UK cover
File:The Time Warrior DVD region 4 cover.jpg|Region 4 Australian cover
File:The Time Warrior DVD region 1 cover.jpg|Region 1 US cover
Bred for War.jpg|Region 2 Box Set
Bred for War The Sontaran Collection.jpg|Region 4 Cover
</gallery>It was released as [[DWDVDF 53|issue 53]] of ''[[Doctor Who DVD Files]]''.


The DVD Release was also the first time the serial was available complete and uncut.
=== Digital releases ===
This story is available:
* in [[iTunes]] stores ([[Australia]], [[Canada]], [[France]], [[Germany]], [[UK]] and [[US]]) as part of the ''Doctor Who'' ('''not''' ''Doctor Who: The Classic Series'') collection ''Monsters: The Sontarans'', which additionally includes the stories ''[[The Sontaran Stratagem (TV story)|The Sontaran Stratagem]]'' and ''[[The Poison Sky (TV story)|The Poison Sky]]'';
* in non-continental iTunes stores (Australia, Canada, UK and US) as a standalone season of ''Doctor Who: The Classic Series'';
* on [[Amazon (service)|Amazon Video]] (UK) as Season 70 of ''Doctor Who (Classic)'' series;
* for streaming through [[BritBox]] (Canada and US) as part of Season 11 of ''Classic Doctor Who''.


*'''Boxset release'''
<gallery position="center" captionalign="center" hideaddbutton="true">
This story was released in the [[Bred for War]] DVD boxset on the [[5th May]] alongside all the classic series Sontaran stories. The DVD is the same as the one sold separately. Released [[8th July]] in [[Australia]].
File:iTunes_The_Time_Warrior_cover.jpg|''The Time Warrior'' iTunes cover
File:iTunes_Monsters_Sontarans_cover.jpg|''Monsters: The Sontarans'' collection iTunes cover
</gallery>


==Novelisation==
=== VHS releases ===
[[Image:Time Warrior novel.jpg|right|75px]]
This story was released in compilation form as ''The Time Warrior'' in the PAL format in 1989, and was released in Australia several months before the UK release. The sleeve of the Australian release credited Elisabeth Sladen and Nicholas Courtney as well as Jon Pertwee.<gallery position="center" captionalign="center" hideaddbutton="true">
: ''Main article: [[Doctor Who and the Time Warrior]]''
File:DSC01800.JPG|1989 release (BBCV 4245) - Cover and VHS tape
*Novelised as ''[[Doctor Who and the Time Warrior]]'' in [[1978]] by [[Terrance Dicks]].
File:The Time Warrior VHS Australian cover.jpg|Australian VHS cover
File:The Time Warrior VHS US cover.jpg|US VHS cover
</gallery>


==External Links==
== External links ==
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/classic/episodeguide/timewarrior/ BBC Episode Guide for '''The Time Warrior''']
* {{bbcepguideclassic|timewarrior/|The Time Warrior}}
* [http://www.gallifreyone.com/episode.php?id=3u Outpost Gallifrey Episode Guide: '''The Time Warrior''']
* {{radiotimes|2010-02-20/the-time-warrior|The Time Warrior}}
* [http://www.drwhoguide.com/who_3u.htm Doctor Who Reference Guide: Detailed Synopsis - '''The Time Warrior''']
{{dwcast}}
* [http://www.shannonsullivan.com/drwho/serials/uuu.html A Brief History of Time (Travel) Guide to '''The Time Warrior''']
{{dwrefguide|who_3u.htm|The Time Warrior}}
*[http://www.doctorwholocations.net/stories/timewarrior The Locations Guide to Doctor Who - '''The Time Warrior''']
* {{briefhistory|serials/uuu.html|The Time Warrior}}
* {{locguide|timewarrior|The Time Warrior}}


{{season 11}}
== Footnotes ==
=== Notes ===
{{notelist}}
 
=== Sources ===
{{reflist}}
{{DWTV}}
{{Sontaran stories}}
{{Sontaran stories}}
[[Category:Third Doctor episodes|Time Warrior]]
{{UNIT stories}}
[[Category:Sarah Jane Smith episodes|Time Warrior, The]]
{{TitleSort}}
[[Category:Sontaran episodes|Time Warrior, The]]
[[es:The Time Warrior]]
[[Category:Stories set in the 13th century|Time Warrior, The]]
[[fr:The Time Warrior]]
[[Category:1973 television stories|Time Warrior, The]]
[[ru:Воин времени]]
[[Category:1974 television stories|Time Warrior, The]]
 
[[Category:Pseudohistorical serials]]
[[Category:Doctor Who (1963) television stories]]
[[Category:Sontaran television stories]]
[[Category:Stories set in the 13th century]]
[[Category:1973 television stories]]
[[Category:Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart television stories]]
[[Category:Season 11 stories]]
[[Category:UNIT television stories]]
[[Category:Stories set in England]]
[[Category:Four part serials]]
[[Category:Stories set in the 20th century]]
[[Category:The Monster Collection: The Sontarans stories]]
[[Category:An Introduction To The Third Doctor television stories]]

Latest revision as of 20:05, 3 November 2024

RealWorld.png

You may be looking for the reference book of the same name.

The Time Warrior was the first serial of season eleven of Doctor Who. The story finally revealed the name of the Doctor's home planet as Gallifrey. It also featured the first appearance of the Sontarans, as well as companion Sarah Jane Smith.

Script editor Terrance Dicks gave Robert Holmes the task of writing a story set in a medieval castle. Holmes was less than enthusiastic about this direction, feeling that historical serials were boring, twee, whimsical and relics of the show's original educational mission. Nonetheless, he agreed to Dicks' suggestion of an adventure set in medieval times, provided that it would feature no historical personages and would include a strong science-fictional element. Holmes reversed the roles in giving Dicks the setting of a lighthouse for Horror of Fang Rock in 1977.[1]

The story introduces a new opening sequence that includes a slit-scan "time tunnel" effect. It also introduces a new, diamond-shaped logo. These remained in use until 1980. This is the first story in the series history to refer to each segment as a 'Part' rather than 'Episode'. This remained until the end of the classic series with the exception of Destiny of the Daleks.

Synopsis[[edit] | [edit source]]

When scientists start to go missing in the 20th century, the Doctor is called in by the Brigadier to investigate. His investigations lead him to deduce that they are being kidnapped through time, and he sets off in pursuit, unknowingly kidnapping journalist Sarah Jane Smith in the process.

Arriving in the middle ages, the Doctor and Sarah find themselves caught up in the machinations of the robber baron Irongron and his "star warrior". The alien, a Sontaran named Linx, is arming him with modern weapons in return for helping him repair his damaged ship, and it's up to the Doctor and Sarah to stop him from ruining the Earth's timeline.

Plot[[edit] | [edit source]]

Part one[[edit] | [edit source]]

In the Middle Ages, the bandit Irongron and his aide Bloodaxe, together with their rabble of criminals, spot a "falling star" crashing to Earth. They find the crashed object, a spaceship of a Sontaran warrior named Linx. The alien claims Earth for his empire then sets about repairing his ship, offering Irongron "magic weapons" that will make him a king in return for shelter. They strike a bargain, though Irongron remains suspicious of the alien.

The Third Doctor and Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart are investigating the disappearance of several scientists from a top secret scientific research complex. They do not know Linx has used an osmic projector to send himself forward seven hundred years and has kidnapped the scientists, then hypnotised them into making repairs on his ship. The projector only lets him appear in another time for a brief period but long enough to kidnap the scientists and steal equipment. While the Doctor investigates, he meets an eccentric scientist called Rubeish and a young journalist called Sarah Jane Smith, who has infiltrated the complex by masquerading as her aunt, the virologist Lavinia Smith. Later that evening Rubeish disappears, and the Doctor uses the data he has gathered to pilot the TARDIS back to the Middle Ages, not realising new companion Sarah has stowed away on board.

Irongron is a robber baron who has stolen his castle from an absent nobleman, and relations with his neighbours are appalling. Indeed, the mild Lord Edward of Wessex has been provoked into building an alliance against him and, when this is slow in developing, Lady Eleanor sends the archer Hal on an unsuccessful mission to kill Irongron. When Sarah follows the Doctor to Irongron's castle, she is seized by one of his guards, while the Doctor witnesses Linx removing his helmet.

Part two[[edit] | [edit source]]

Irongron is in a foul mood when a captured Sarah is brought before him. His mood improves when Linx presents him with a Robot Knight which is then put to the test on a captured Hal. The archer is only saved when the Doctor intervenes from afar by using a crossbow to shoot the robot control box from Irongron's hands. The ensuing confusion lets both Hal and Sarah flee, and they head for Wessex Castle. There, Sarah concocts a plan to kidnap the Doctor, who she thinks is working for Irongron rather than against him.

Meanwhile the Doctor has realised that Sarah is in the time period and has been captured. He finds Linx's lab, where the kidnapped scientists have been hypnotised except for Rubeish. He is caught by Linx, who restrains him using a head device, but Rubeish frees him when Linx leaves. The Doctor then leaves to search for Sarah, but is chased by Irongron and his men. When the Doctor stumbles, Irongron raises his axe.

Part three[[edit] | [edit source]]

▶︎
YouTube

Hal shoots the axe out of Irongron's hand, allowing the Doctor to escape. The Doctor is able to convince Sarah and Edward that he was trying to stop Linx and agrees to help construct a defence against an attack on Wessex Castle by Irongron's men.

The next morning, the robber baron and his troops assault the castle using rifles supplied by Linx, scarcely fooled by dummies the Doctor has made to make it appear as though the castle has more soldiers than they do. As they march forward, the Doctor unleashes smoke bombs and stink bombs, which scare them away. The failure further sours the relationship between Linx and Irongron, which has deteriorated since the robot knight fiasco and the point at which the robber saw the Sontaran's true visage beneath his helmet.

The Doctor now decides to lead an attack on Irongron's castle, and he and Sarah enter dressed as friars. He offers to help Linx if he sends the scientists back home, but Linx refuses and shoots the Doctor...

Part four[[edit] | [edit source]]

The new TARDIS team.

The Doctor isn't harmed, and Linx is rendered immobile when Rubeish, acting on a hint from the Doctor, hits his probic vent (a Sontaran refuelling point on the back of their necks which is also their main weakness). Rubeish and the Doctor use the osmic projector to send the scientists back to the twentieth century. Sarah now inveigles herself into Irongron's kitchen, using the opportunity to drug the food, thereby knocking out Irongron's men.

A recovered Linx now determines his ship is repaired enough to effect a departure. Once more he encounters the Doctor, and they wrestle in combat. A crazed and half drugged Irongron arrives and accuses Linx of betraying him; the Sontaran responds by killing him. As Linx enters his spherical vessel, Hal arrives and shoots him in the probic vent, and the Sontaran warrior falls dead over his controls, triggering the launch mechanism. Knowing the place is about to explode when the shuttle takes off, the Doctor hurries the last of his allies out of the castle. It explodes moments before the Doctor and Sarah depart in the TARDIS.

Cast[[edit] | [edit source]]

Crew[[edit] | [edit source]]

Uncredited crew[[edit] | [edit source]]

Worldbuilding[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • Rubeish mentions namesakes.
  • Irongron has an armourer.
  • The King of England is involved in "his interminable wars". (Robert Holmes's pitch refers to King John as the monarch, making this John's lengthy war with France). [3]

Businesses[[edit] | [edit source]]

The Doctor[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • The Doctor uses his Venusian aikido on Irongron and Bloodaxe.
  • The Doctor proves himself good at fencing.
  • The Doctor states that he would like to study art under Rembrandt.

Foods and beverages[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • Irongron has only sour wine in his castle.

Individuals[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • Lavinia Smith is in America at the moment.

References to popular culture[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • Sarah Jane first thinks Irongron's men are students doing a "rag day joke", then that this is "one of those tourist places".
  • The Doctor describes Linx as "nasty, brutish, and short", referencing a quote from Thomas Hobbes' Leviathan.
  • The Doctor uses the metaphor of dancing polka while de-hypnotising the scientists.

Sontarans[[edit] | [edit source]]

Science[[edit] | [edit source]]

Technology[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • The Doctor uses his newly constructed rhondium sensor as both practical scientific apparatus and a kind of alarm clock.

Weapons[[edit] | [edit source]]

Story notes[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • Working titles for this story included The Fugitive, The Time Fugitive and The Time Survivor.
  • This story features the debut of a new opening and closing title sequence designed by Bernard Lodge and realised using a process known as "slit scan". The opening title sequence features for the first time the distinctive diamond-shaped logo for the series.
  • Beginning with this story, individual episodes are listed as parts. This replaced the previous system of calling them episodes, established in 1966 with The Savages. The naming structure introduced in this serial was used through to Survival in 1989, with the single exception of Destiny of the Daleks.
  • Elisabeth Sladen is credited as "Sarah Jane" in Radio Times for parts one to three.
  • The Radio Times programme listing for part one was accompanied by a black-and-white illustration by Peter Brookes depicting Linx using his gun to shoot an axe from a hand, and the Brigadier, Sarah and the Doctor in front of Irongron's castle, with the accompanying caption "Into the past — to find the future. The redoubtable Dr. Who returns with a new assistant, journalist Sarah Jane Smith, and Lethbridge Stewart to fight The Time Warrior in not-so-merrie England: 5.10". (original published text)
  • Barry Letts wanted Bob Hoskins to play Irongron. He was unavailable, but he did recommend David Daker.
  • Gallifrey was originally referred to as "Galfrey" in the scripts.
  • This episode is set shortly after Jo has left, as in Death of the Doctor, Sarah Jane told Jo that she arrived "just after" her departure.
  • The special edition release of this serial includes new effects through computer-generated imagery, including energy rays from Linx's handheld laser and a rendered CGI explosion that shows Irongron's castle being blown up as opposed to a practical effect where the explosion is seen from afar and rocks are dislodged, merely implying the destruction of the castle.
  • The original script contained a full-scale battle scene of knights in armour attacking the castle. Terrance Dicks realised that this was way beyond the show's budget, so he changed it to the Doctor repelling invaders with smoke bombs.
  • In the original script, it was the Doctor who killed Linx by shooting an arrow into his probic vent.
  • According to the trivia subtitles on the DVD, the UNIT dating controversy could have been avoided — a cut line from the sequence where Linx interrogates Sarah Jane would have had her specify that she came from 1974.
  • Robert Holmes's only memory of the shoot was that Terrance Dicks ate kippers with vinegar on the train to the location filming.
  • Robert Holmes had conceived of the Sontarans after reading On War, a ten-volume treatise on military strategy compiled in the early nineteenth century by the Prussian general Carl von Clausewitz. To offset his ennui with the actual business of writing a storyline, Holmes prepared his submission in the form of a military communique between the Sontarans "Hol Mes" and "Terran Cedicks".
  • Barry Letts originally hoped to direct the serial himself, but he and Terrance Dicks were busy gearing up for production on Moonbase 3.
  • Linx's appearance was a collaboration between costume designer James Acheson and make-up designer Sandra Exelby, who worked from Robert Holmes' scripted description of a cross between a human and a toad. 
  • Kevin Lindsay found the Linx costume very difficult to wear, as it interfered with his breathing. At one point, he collapsed under the weight of the mask and the helmet. It was revealed that he had a heart condition.
  • There were talks about retaining Hal as a second companion and Barry Letts approached Jeremy Bulloch to enquire about his schedule, but nothing came of it.
  • Hal originally had an introductory scene that featured the archer flirting with a serving girl named Mary, and explained that he had accompanied Sir Edward on one of the Crusades, helping him return home after falling sick in the Holy Land. The loss of this sequence resulted in all of Mary's dialogue being excised from the finished serial and, as a result, actress Jacqueline Stanbury would no longer be listed in the credits.
  • The name Irongron came from the histories of Denmark.
  • Kevin Lindsay insisted on pronouncing "Sontaran" by stressing the second syllable ("son-TAR-an") rather than using Robert Holmes's envisioned pronunciation, which stressed the first syllable ("SON-tar-an"). When Alan Bromly attempted to correct Lindsay's pronunciation, the latter shot back with "Well, I think it's 'son-TAR-an', and since I'm from the place, I should know." Bromly backed down, and the "son-TAR-an" pronunciation would become the canon one.

Ratings[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • Part one - 8.7 million viewers
  • Part two - 7.0 million viewers
  • Part three - 6.6 million viewers
  • Part four - 10.6 million viewers

Myths[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • Potatoes were unknown in England until Sir Walter Raleigh brought them back from the Americas in the 16th century, but they are referred to in this story. (This is a common misconception — no potatoes featured in this story, but they are referenced in the novelisation of this story.)

Filming locations[[edit] | [edit source]]

Production errors[[edit] | [edit source]]

If you'd like to talk about narrative problems with this story — like plot holes and things that seem to contradict other stories — please go to this episode's discontinuity discussion.
  • Irongron's gun goes off before he fires it.
  • When looking at the robot, the actor's eyes can be clearly seen through the eye holes.
  • In part four, just before the Doctor, Sarah, and Hal enter Linx's workshop, a stagehand can be heard for a moment shouting a verbal cue off-screen.
  • When the Doctor and Sarah leave in the TARDIS at the end of part four, one of the TARDIS's side windows can briefly be seen from the inside, revealing it to be a prop.

Continuity[[edit] | [edit source]]

Home video and audio releases[[edit] | [edit source]]

DVD releases[[edit] | [edit source]]

This story was released as Doctor Who: The Time Warrior.

Released: Region 2 3 September 2007, Region 4 3 October 2007 and Region 1 April 2008.

Contents:

  • Commentary by Elisabeth Sladen (Sarah Jane Smith), Barry Letts (Producer) and Terrance Dicks (Script Editor)
  • Beginning the End - The cast and crew of The Time Warrior look back on the making of this story, in this newly produced documentary. Featuring Elisabeth Sladen, Donald Pelmear (Rubeish), Jeremy Bulloch (Hal), Barry Letts, Terrance Dicks and Keith Cheetham (designer)
  • CGI Effects - Choose to watch the story with some of the original effects replaced by 16 new CGI sequences
  • Continuity Compilation - A selection of off-air continuity announcements for the original BBC transmission of The Time Warrior.
  • The Doctor Who Annual 1974 (DVD-ROM PC/Mac)
  • Radio Times Billings - Original listings from Radio Times (DVD-ROM PC/Mac)
  • Photo Gallery
  • Production Subtitles
  • Coming Soon Trailer - The Key to Time
  • Easter Eggs:
    • The Time Warrior Firsts: Short featurette detailing various "firsts" introduced by this serial, including the first appearance of Sarah Jane, the first appearance of a Sontaran, the first use of the slit-scan title sequence, and others. To access this hidden feature, press left at Special Features on the Main Menu to illuminate the Doctor Who logo.
    • Terrance Dicks bonus interview talking about his relationship with Barry Letts. To access this hidden feature, press left at Back on the second page of the Special Features menu to reveal a hidden Doctor Who logo.

Notes:

  • Editing for the DVD release was completed by the Doctor Who Restoration Team. Unfortunately, during re-mastering, on-screen credits for David Daker (Irongron) and John J. Carney (Bloodaxe) were omitted from the closing titles of part one by mistake.
  • The DVD release was also the first time the serial was available complete and uncut.

Box set release: This story was released in the Bred for War DVD box set on 5 May 2008 along with the other classic series Sontaran stories. The DVD is the same as the one sold separately. It was later released in Australia on 8 July.

  • Region 2 UK cover

    Region 2 UK cover

  • Region 4 Australian cover

    Region 4 Australian cover

  • Region 1 US cover

    Region 1 US cover

  • Region 2 Box Set

    Region 2 Box Set

  • Region 4 Cover

    Region 4 Cover

It was released as issue 53 of Doctor Who DVD Files.

Digital releases[[edit] | [edit source]]

This story is available:

  • in iTunes stores (Australia, Canada, France, Germany, UK and US) as part of the Doctor Who (not Doctor Who: The Classic Series) collection Monsters: The Sontarans, which additionally includes the stories The Sontaran Stratagem and The Poison Sky;
  • in non-continental iTunes stores (Australia, Canada, UK and US) as a standalone season of Doctor Who: The Classic Series;
  • on Amazon Video (UK) as Season 70 of Doctor Who (Classic) series;
  • for streaming through BritBox (Canada and US) as part of Season 11 of Classic Doctor Who.
  • The Time Warrior iTunes cover

    The Time Warrior iTunes cover

  • Monsters: The Sontarans collection iTunes cover

    Monsters: The Sontarans collection iTunes cover

VHS releases[[edit] | [edit source]]

This story was released in compilation form as The Time Warrior in the PAL format in 1989, and was released in Australia several months before the UK release. The sleeve of the Australian release credited Elisabeth Sladen and Nicholas Courtney as well as Jon Pertwee.

  • 1989 release (BBCV 4245) - Cover and VHS tape

    1989 release (BBCV 4245) - Cover and VHS tape

  • Australian VHS cover

    Australian VHS cover

  • US VHS cover

    US VHS cover

External links[[edit] | [edit source]]

Footnotes[[edit] | [edit source]]

Notes[[edit] | [edit source]]

  1. ↑ In part two of the television story The Sontaran Experiment, Sarah Jane Smith tells Field Major Styre that Linx was destroyed in the 13th century.

Sources[[edit] | [edit source]]

  1. ↑ Beginning the End
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Accidentally uncredited on-screen for part one on DVD release.
  3. ↑ Robert Holmes: A Life In Words - "Interlude VIII: The Time Fugitive" (Richard Molesworth)
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Sontaran stories
For the purposes of this list, a "Sontaran story" is one in which one living, authentic Sontaran plays a part within the confines of the story, outside of flashbacks to previous stories and cliffhangers that lead into the following story. For this reason, stories such as The Halloween Apocalypse and Survivors of the Flux are not counted due to the Sontarans' appearance being defined by their importance to following stories. Stories like The End of Time and The Time of the Doctor are also not included due to the Sontarans' appearance being no consequence to the plot of the story. Stories featuring Strax of the Paternoster Gang are only included on the Paternoster Gang story template.
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